Comedy Legends and Anniversary Art: Top Nashville Picks for Monday, February 16, 2026

Celebrate Presidents' Day with Music and Art

Welcome to Nashville.news, your source for the best of Music City. Today is Monday, February 16, 2026, and while many are enjoying the Presidents' Day holiday, the local arts and culture scene is in full swing. Whether you are looking for world-class visual art, a night of laughter, or the city’s legendary live music, there is no shortage of ways to spend your evening.

A Milestone Year at the Frist Art Museum

Start your afternoon at the Frist Art Museum, which is currently celebrating its landmark 25th anniversary. Today is an excellent time to explore several major exhibitions. In Her Place: Nashville Artists in the Twenty-First Century is currently on view in the Ingram Gallery, showcasing nearly 100 works by 28 influential local women artists. This exhibition offers a deep look at how place and identity intersect in modern Tennessee art. Additionally, visitors can experience Sistah Griot: The Iconoclastic Art of Barbara Bullock, featuring the bold and narrative paintings of the late Nashville-based artist. The museum is open today from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., providing a sophisticated retreat for art lovers.

Comedy and Laughs in the Heart of the City

If you are in the mood for comedy, Zanies Nashville is the place to be tonight with two distinct shows starting at 7:00 p.m. In the main room, catch New Material Monday, a long-standing tradition where both local talents and surprise national headliners test out their latest jokes in an intimate setting. Simultaneously, The Lab at Zanies will host Nateland Live: Good, Clean, Funny. Inspired by Nate Bargatze’s popular podcast, this show features a curated lineup of rising comics delivering relatable, family-friendly humor.

Monday Night Concerts and Local Legends

Nashville’s stages are packed tonight with a variety of genres. For those looking for high-energy rock, Marathon Music Works hosts a major triple bill featuring Motion City Soundtrack, Say Anything, and Sincere Engineer at 7:00 p.m. If you prefer the grit of East Nashville, The Basement East features Smile Empty Soul alongside Primer 55 and Makes My Blood Dance.

For a more traditional Nashville experience, head to the historic Station Inn in the Gulch at 8:00 p.m. for the New Monday showcase, featuring bluegrass legends Val Storey, Larry Cordle, and Carl Jackson. Other notable options for your Monday night include:

• Writers Round: The Listening Room Cafe hosts a songwriter session at 6:00 p.m.
• Live Jazz: Rudy’s Jazz Room offers live performances starting at 6:00 p.m.
• City Winery: Italian guitar virtuoso Matteo Mancuso performs at 7:00 p.m.
• Ole Red: Live music continues all day on Broadway, including a set by Nick Hickman at 8:00 p.m.

Make the most of this holiday Monday by exploring the rich variety of talent that keeps Nashville’s heart beating every single day of the week.